A model worth considering

Saskatchewan Pulse Growers took an unusual step in the late 1990s. They took control of the research and development into new varieties suited to Saskatchewan’s growing conditions. How? They decided to pay for it themselves, drawing on a one per cent of gross sales checkoff collected from growers. In 1997, the SPG initiated an agreement


CWB says ad met its objective

The chief strategy officer for CWB says the agency stands by its controversial ad depicting a cowgirl stuck on a fence, saying most people like it. “We’ve got more feedback than I ever expected,” said Dayna Spiring about the ad that has been running in farm newspapers in recent weeks. Spiring acknowledged there have been



Hitting the sweet spot

If Calvin Vaags has his way, Manitoba will have a federally inspected ruminant slaughter plant capable of handling 1,000 head per week up and running within a year. After three years of preparation, work has started on a $13-million expansion at Plains Processors, a small processing plant with a capacity of 80 head per week

Beef packing and Manitoba

Calvin Vaags was up front in saying the decision to host a “media” event Jan. 26 at the Plains Processors facility near Carman was about credibility. After three years of planning, lining up finances and preparation, he wanted people to see for themselves that the earth has started to move to make way for the


CWB says controversial ad met its objective

The chief strategy officer for CWB says the agency stands by its controversial ad depicting a cowgirl stuck on a fence, saying most people like it. "We’ve got more feedback than I ever expected," said Dayna Spiring about the ad that has been running in farm newspapers in recent weeks. Spiring acknowledged there have been

A penny a plant?

Back in the days when being a farm kid spelled work and a penny was still worth five Mojos at the local store, Grandpa had us all out there one hot, July afternoon hand roguing his seed oats for a penny a plant. If some agronomists are correct, it’s looking like farm kids of the



Editorial cartoons

Several readers took exception to the editorial cartoon we published in the Dec. 20 issue. For those of you who missed it, it portrays a father asking his little girl “how was school today?” as she walks in the door. “No casualties,” she replies. This seemingly innocent exchange takes on a grotesque significance in the